He hesitated, looking up at the surface for a moment and deciding it was worth it. He took a breath and was surprised that he could breathe. His chest tightened nervously, but it was as easy as breathing on land. "You're so pretty, Tez."
She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as two shark swam in the distance. They would be hard to spot, but more noticeable as they got closer. "Karchiaras!"
He watched them a little nervously before he spoke quietly in a smooth, bubbling dialect. "Can you understand me?"
Karchiaras turned toward him sharply, only for his fin to brush his leg as if he were sizing him up. The voice that spoke was low and gravelly, yet soothing to hear. "An intruder?"
He glanced over at Tez hesitantly before looking back at the shark. "No. Tez knows I'm here, see? I'm her friend."
Another voice chimed in, this one female. It was high pitched and scornful. "Why should Tez trust you? You're not even her kind."
He laughed slightly, tilting his head. "You're not her kind either," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "And I have no reservations about her trusting you."
This seemed to agitate them, and Tez frowned slightly. "We've been her friends longer than you," Karchiaras replied, "and you're already upsetting her."
